Power tool with illumination device

Abstract

A power tool, such as a screwdriver is described, which comprises an illumination device 18 for illuminating a work region. The illumination device is disposed on the front face of the screwdriver's gearbox to achieve this aim. Also provided is an extension piece 22 which is attachable to the front of the screwdriver. A central prop-shaft 24 engages with the spindle 16 when the extension piece is attached to the screwdriver. A waveguide 40 is provided to guide light emitted by the illumination device(s) so as to provide sufficient illumination of a work region when the extension piece is attached to the screwdriver. The light is emitted from the waveguide in a direction which is generally axial to the axis of rotation of the extension's drive output 28. The screwdriver is operable in two modes, with or without the extension and sufficient illumination of a work region is provided in both modes.

1 . A hand-operated motor driven tool comprising, 
 a body for housing a motor arranged to drive an output, the output having an axis of rotation,    a tool bit holder disposed at a first end of the spindle furthest from the motor, and    a light emitting device ( 18 ) arranged in or on the body,    characterised in that the tool further comprises    a waveguide arranged to guide at least a portion of light emitted by the light emitting device from a waveguide input to a waveguide output, the waveguide output being arranged such that light is emitted from the waveguide substantially along the output's axis of rotation for illumination of a work region.    
   
   
       2 . A tool according to  claim 1 , further comprising an extension arranged to be fixedly attached to the tool.  
   
   
       3 . A tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the extension comprises the output, waveguide and a shaft, and wherein a second end of the shaft furthest from the tool bit holder is arranged to cooperate with a motor's output spindle.  
   
   
       4 . A tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the extension comprises the output, waveguide and a shaft, and wherein a second end of the shaft furthest from the tool bit holder is arranged to cooperate with a motor driven gearbox output spindle.  
   
   
       5 . A tool according to  claim 3 , wherein the output spindle is arranged to accommodate a tool-bit when the extension is detached from the tool, and 
 the spindle ( 16 ) is arranged to accommodate the second end of the shaft when the extension is fitted to the tool.    
   
   
       6 . A tool according to  claim 4 , wherein the output spindle is arranged to accommodate a tool-bit when the extension is fitted to the tool, and 
 the spindle ( 16 ) is arranged to accommodate the second end of the shaft when the extension is fitted to the tool.    
   
   
       7 . A tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide output is disposed close to the tool bit holder.  
   
   
       8 . A tool according to  claim 1 , further comprising an opaque sheath disposed over the waveguide, wherein a portion of the waveguide, including the waveguide output, extends beyond an end of the sheath.  
   
   
       9 . A tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide output ( 41 B) is disposed close to, or around, the tool bit holder, thereby providing means to illuminate a work region.  
   
   
       10 . A tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the extension is curved.  
   
   
       11 . A hand-operated motor driven tool comprising, 
 a body housing a motor which is arranged to drive an output, the output having a tool bit holder disposed on a first end furthest from the motor, said tool bit holder being arranged to receive a tool-bit ( 32 ),    a light emitting device arranged in or on the body, and    a waveguide arranged to guide at least a portion of light emitted by the light emitting device to an output of said waveguide, the waveguide output being disposed near to the tool bit holder,    characterised in that, the waveguide and the output are arranged to rotate during operation of the tool with respect to the main body.    
   
   
       12 . A tool according to  claim 11 , further comprising an extension arranged to be fixedly attached to the tool.  
   
   
       13 . A tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the extension comprises the output, waveguide and a shaft, and wherein a second end of the shaft furthest from the tool bit holder is arranged to cooperate with a motor's output spindle.  
   
   
       14 . A tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the extension comprises the output, waveguide and a shaft, and wherein a second end of the shaft furthest from the tool bit holder is arranged to cooperate with a motor driven gearbox output spindle.  
   
   
       15 . A tool according to  claim 13 , wherein the output spindle is arranged to accommodate a tool-bit when the extension is detached from the tool, and 
 the spindle ( 16 ) is arranged to accommodate the second end of the shaft when the extension is fitted to the tool.    
   
   
       16 . A tool according to  claim 14 , wherein the output spindle is arranged to accommodate a tool-bit when the extension is fitted to the tool, and 
 the spindle ( 16 ) is arranged to accommodate the second end of the shaft when the extension is fitted to the tool.    
   
   
       17 . A tool according to  claim 11 , wherein the waveguide output is disposed close to the tool bit holder.  
   
   
       18 . A tool according to  claim 11 , further comprising an opaque sheath disposed over the waveguide, wherein a portion of the waveguide, including the waveguide output, extends beyond an end of the sheath.  
   
   
       19 . A tool according to  claim 11 , wherein the waveguide output ( 41 B) is disposed close to, or around, the tool bit holder, thereby providing means to illuminate a work region.  
   
   
       20 . A tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the extension is curved.  
   
   
       21 . A hand-operated motor driven tool comprising, 
 a body housing a motor which is arranged to drive an output, the output having a tool bit holder disposed on a first end furthest from the motor, said tool bit holder being arranged to receive a tool-bit ( 32 ),    a light emitting device arranged in or on the body, and    a waveguide arranged to guide at least a portion of light emitted by the light emitting device to an output of said waveguide, the waveguide output being disposed near to the tool bit holder,    characterised in that, the output spindle is arranged to rotate during operation of the tool with respect to the waveguide.    
   
   
       22 . A tool according to  claim 21 , further comprising an extension arranged to be fixedly attached to the tool.  
   
   
       23 . A tool according to  claim 22 , wherein the extension comprises the output, waveguide and a shaft, and wherein a second end of the shaft furthest from the tool bit holder is arranged to cooperate with a motor's output spindle.  
   
   
       24 . A tool according to  claim 22 , wherein the extension comprises the output, waveguide and a shaft, and wherein a second end of the shaft furthest from the tool bit holder is arranged to cooperate with a motor driven gearbox output spindle.  
   
   
       25 . A tool according to  claim 23 , wherein the output spindle is arranged to accommodate a tool-bit when the extension is detached from the tool, and 
 the spindle ( 16 ) is arranged to accommodate the second end of the shaft when the extension is fitted to the tool.    
   
   
       26 . A tool according to  claim 24 , wherein the output spindle is arranged to accommodate a tool-bit when the extension is fitted to the tool, and 
 the spindle ( 16 ) is arranged to accommodate the second end of the shaft when the extension is fitted to the tool.    
   
   
       27 . A tool according to  claim 21 , wherein the waveguide output is disposed close to the tool bit holder.  
   
   
       28 . A tool according to  claim 21 , further comprising an opaque sheath disposed over the waveguide, wherein a portion of the waveguide, including the waveguide output, extends beyond an end of the sheath.  
   
   
       29 . A tool according to  claim 21 , wherein the waveguide output ( 41 B) is disposed close to, or around, the tool bit holder, thereby providing means to illuminate a work region.  
   
   
       30 . A tool according to  claim 22 , wherein the extension is curved.  
   
   
       31 . A power tool extension, comprising: 
 an output for holding tool bit;    a waveguide for guiding light from a waveguide input to a waveguide output; and    a shaft being arranged to accommodate the output at one end,    the shaft having a second end arranged to engage with a driver output of a power tool, wherein    the shaft further comprises means to couple the extension to a body part of a power tool.    
   
   
       32 . An extension according to  claim 31 , wherein the waveguide has a central longitudinal bore and the shaft is disposed within the bore.  
   
   
       33 . An extension according to  claim 31 , wherein during use the shaft is arranged to rotate with respect to the waveguide.  
   
   
       34 . An extension according to  claim 31 , further comprising an opaque sheath disposed over the waveguide and arranged such that a portion of the waveguide output extends beyond the sheath.  
   
   
       35 . An extension according to  claim 31 , wherein the waveguide output is disposed around the output, thereby providing means to illuminate a work region.